VEA vs. UL

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) is Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index, while UL (The Unilever Group) is a stock. Over the past 10 years, VEA returned 10.72%/yr vs 5.33%/yr for UL. A 0.56 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined.

Performance

VEA vs. UL - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and The Unilever Group (UL). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VEA achieves a 14.73% return, which is significantly higher than UL's -8.35% return. Over the past 10 years, VEA has outperformed UL with an annualized return of 10.72%, while UL has yielded a comparatively lower 5.33% annualized return.

VEA

• 1D: 0.34%
• 1M: 1.30%
• YTD: 14.73%
• 6M: 16.65%
• 1Y: 29.82%
• 3Y*: 19.03%
• 5Y*: 9.51%
• 10Y*: 10.72%

UL

• 1D: 1.03%
• 1M: 3.45%
• YTD: -8.35%
• 6M: -7.70%
• 1Y: -14.93%
• 3Y*: 5.05%
• 5Y*: 0.66%
• 10Y*: 5.33%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

VEA vs. UL - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	14.73%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%
UL The Unilever Group	-8.35%	5.96%	20.90%	-0.17%	-2.82%	-7.61%	9.04%	12.88%	-2.34%	40.15%

Correlation

The correlation between VEA and UL is 0.22, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.22
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.31
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.39
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.43
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 26, 2007	0.56

Over the past year, the correlation between VEA and UL has dropped to 0.22 - well below their long-term average of 0.56, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

Return for Risk

VEA vs. UL — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 62
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 63
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 63

UL

UL Risk / Return Rank: 16
UL Sharpe Ratio Rank: 13
UL Sortino Ratio Rank: 14
UL Omega Ratio Rank: 15
UL Calmar Ratio Rank: 21
UL Martin Ratio Rank: 15

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

VEA vs. UL - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) and The Unilever Group (UL). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VEA	UL	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.81	-0.70	+2.51
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.50	-0.87	+3.38
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.33	0.90	+0.43
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.58	-0.60	+3.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.92	-1.23	+11.15

VEA vs. UL - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VEA Sharpe Ratio is 1.81, which is higher than the UL Sharpe Ratio of -0.70. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VEA and UL, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VEA vs. UL - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VEA drawdown since its inception was -60.68%, which is greater than UL's maximum drawdown of -53.55%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VEA and UL.

Drawdown Indicators

	VEA	UL	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-60.68%	-53.55%	-7.13%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.63%	-25.09%	+13.46%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.45%	-25.09%	+11.64%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-29.71%	-26.53%	-3.18%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-35.73%	-30.13%	-5.60%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.06%	-19.64%	+18.58%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-13.28%	-10.61%	-2.67%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.02%	12.20%	-9.18%

Volatility

VEA vs. UL - Volatility Comparison

Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a higher volatility of 6.84% compared to The Unilever Group (UL) at 6.11%. This indicates that VEA's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than UL based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VEA	UL	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.84%	6.11%	+0.73%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	14.38%	16.78%	-2.40%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	16.58%	21.50%	-4.92%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.72%	20.87%	-4.15%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.40%	21.61%	-4.21%

Dividends

VEA vs. UL - Dividend Comparison

VEA's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.62%, less than UL's 3.87% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
UL The Unilever Group	3.87%	3.51%	3.29%	3.83%	3.57%	3.77%	3.07%	3.18%	3.49%	2.80%	3.42%	3.02%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.62%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VEA and UL in my portfolio?

VEA and UL have a correlation of 0.22, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, VEA or UL?

VEA has higher volatility (6.84%) compared to UL (6.11%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VEA dropped -60.68% vs UL's -53.55%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VEA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.81 vs -0.70), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.